A Jeep without four-wheel traction seems unusual to a lot of us. The brand is well known for its on and off-road prowess, but there were also rear-wheel-drive Broncos, Suburbans, and other vehicles that we all think are 4WD/AWD all the time. The seller has this 1989 Jeep Comanche Sportruck posted here on craigslist in Rollag, Minnesota, and they’re asking $3,000 or offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
Rollag is home of one of the best and biggest Steam Threshing Reunions and old tractor shows in the country every Labor Day weekend. It’s worth flying into Fargo’s airport, renting a car, and driving 45 minutes east or so to check it out if you’re a fan of old machinery and turn-of-the-century stuff, in general. We often see old vehicles like this Jeep parked on the side of the road with a For Sale sign in the windshield, where thousands of vehicles will pass by on the way to the big show. Jeep made the Comanche from 1985 for the 1986 model year until the end of 1992. I’m guessing the missing trim isn’t included.
I’d be interested in upgrading from my tiny Dodge D-50 Sport pickup that doesn’t even remotely have enough legroom for me. There are a few problem areas on the exterior, however, such as here and here. I believe this Jeep is Colorado Red, a great name for either a Jeep pickup or a Colorado cowboy. It would have been nice if the license plate were RWD rather than RHD, although the USPS did have many RHD Jeep Cherokees for delivering mail. I couldn’t find a 1989 brochure, but here’s a 1988 Comanche brochure.
It would be fun to clean and detail this Jeep. The interior could use a lot of work in that department; it’s pretty dusty and somewhat dirty-looking. Condition-wise, though, it looks great inside to me. This example has a 5-speed manual, and I’m assuming it’s the lighter-duty version by Asian-Warner: the AX-5. There was a heavier AX-15, and from what I found, both were used with the 2.5-liter inline-four, which this Cherokee has. Maybe one of you Jeep experts would know. In any case, the seller says that this one has a new “clutch, throw out bearing, slave cylinder, and pressure plate.” That’s a very nice piece of work to have done.
Unfortunately, the seller didn’t pop the hood to show us the engine, but they say it’s a 4-cylinder. That should be AMC’s 2.5-liter OHV, fuel-injected inline-four, which was rated at 121 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque. Backed by the 5-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels, this Jeep has a new fuel pump and is said to run great; they also say to make an offer. Depending on the rust situation, getting this one for $2,500 would be a good deal in my world. Hagerty is at $6,067 on the low end, so if you don’t mind a couple of dents and some rust, this could be a good truck just for using as, you know, a truck.
What a neat little truck…anything XJ-related is a winner, esp with a third pedal.
This is a great Jeep pickup. As far as the 2WD Vs 4WD, my Father would say, “Less stuff to break”. Some cleaning would do wonders for this one. I’d certainly love to have it. And thank you for mentioning the tractor show too Scotty. That eould be a blast to see.
My dad used to say, the only thing that a 4wd gets you that a 2wd doesn’t is deeper in trouble. Didn’t stop him (us?) from buying 4wd’s though.
You can’t get to where 4x4s get stuck with 2 wheel drive.
I’m trying to remember…I think this is what Archer brothers won with when scca had a small truck series.
Same guys who were Ice racers?
I was at the AMC intro for these in Sacramento. You were supposed to just motor around the dirt lot and mosey up the hills that they had planted. But my boss ( the dealer principal) was getting bored as was everyone else. He said $50 to the fastest time. That’s all I needed to hear! When I cleared the jump and landed next to the guy who had started a minute or two ahead of me. The AMC guys got hostile pulled all the keys. So it was the end of the fun! But I collected my $50! These drove quite nicely and all the parts (stock or aftermarket upgrade) swap over from a Cherokee. So if you want your truck to be 4×4. Find a wrecked Cherokee and start swapping.
Wayne, yes ice Racers from Duluth and in the era that John Menard was ice racing. Google helped me remember. Tommy won the scca pu championship in 88. That series required “treaded tires” and my historic race Volvo 1800E enjoyed some of their used tires.
Years later, Bobby and Tommy raced dodge vipers in different pro series and took one to le mans.
I wonder if that’s the same 5 speed and 2.5 four that was in my 89 Dakota?
I miss my ’93 Dodge Dakota.
Totally agree Tim. I miss my ’87 Dakota daily
Engine is different, this is the AMC 6 minus two cylinders and the Dakota 2.5 is an enlarged K-car 2.2, both developed before Chrysler bought AMC
Probably Not. Which side was the Intake manifold on? Left =Jeep, Right = OHC Mopar 2.5
If the wiki page is to be believed, the Aisin AX-15 manual was only available with the 4.0L inline-6 starting from March ’89 onward (replacing the Peugeot BA10/5 for prior I-6s), whereas the 2.5L inline-4 was only offered with an Aisin AX-5 or AX-4.
SubGothius, I saw this when I clicked on Aisin AX-15 under the Comanche specs on the top right, under Transmissions:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisin_AX15_transmission
“The AX15 built by Aisin was used in Jeeps with the AMC 242 (4.0L) Inline 6 engine, as well as the AMC 258 (4.2L) Inline 6 engine and AMC 150 (2.5L) Straight 4 engine. This included vehicles such as the Cherokee(XJ), Comanche (MJ), and Wrangler (YJ and TJ) and 1994-1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ as well as the 1st and 2nd generations of the Dodge Dakota.
The attached pic is the Transmission info/chart at the bottom of the Jeep Comanche page. The Wiki info appears to show a bit of conflicting info, saying in text on the Aisin AX-15 page that the AX-15 was offered for the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but then the chart lists the 4.0-liter V6 as the only engine available with the AX-15.
I saw the same info, but as the AX-15 page was a bit of a sketchy summary, whereas the Comanche page was more detailed (also likely more of a well-informed fanbase maintaining that page), I interpreted all that to mean the 2.5L AMC I-4 was offered with the AX-15 at some point in some vehicle(s), just not in the Comanche specifically.
That’s a good point, sir. Wiki can be iffy at times with who knows how many people editing the info.
Around 1989 there was a heavy duty option on the Cherokee. It was available with a 5 speed 4.0 liter. It included heavier duty springs and axles. I am not sure which transmission it used but the towing capacity was higher than the standard 5 speed 4.0 liter. Good chance that may have been the Aisin AX-15. Maybe someone can confirm that. A friend had a 4 door with that option package (should have bought it when he sold it).
And I loved my BA10/5 in my 1988 Cherokee with the 4.0 liter. Smooth shifting with or without using the clutch. I really miss that vehicle.
Could be a stepsister for Howard’s stickshift 2.5 Jeep YJ 💁♂️
I just watched the video link. That show looks fantastic!!! The huge Case steam tractor is just phenomenal!!! That is on my bucket list now Scotty. Thank you!!!
I didn’t think anyone clicked on those links; that’s good to know! I’m sure you’d love seeing that whole place, Dave, the vintage construction equipment area is huge.
You know Scotty, not just see, but smell too, all the old engines running. It would be a great experience for me.
Google “Ederville in Carthage NC”. I belong to the AACA, and it’s about 15 miles from my house, and our local chapter goes there for our fall tour. Also, 15 miles in the other direction, we have the “Old Mill Crankup” for those who want to immerse themselves in turn of the century machinery.
Meh, I know, a Jeep post and no interest? To be crystal clear, a Jeep without 4wd is merely another small pickup, and in a rare case of feelings, better off with the Asian examples. Why? That gutless, poor excuse for a motor can’t hold a candle to the Asian ones, even though, when looking for my Jeep, the 4 cylinder was actually quite popular, each owner with remorse, I’m sure, but I looked at 4 cyl. Jeeps with 325K on them( 120K on new motors) so they will last, but a slow ride, and I don’t recommend them to anyone. Still, why this isn’t sold is a noodle scratcher,,,the stick?
You can’t get to where 4x4s get stuck with 2 wheel drive.
I’m trying to remember…I think this is what Archer brothers won with when scca had a small truck series.
I can live without the 4wd, but not without the 4L.
When we got Jeep-Eagle in ’91 part of our initial allocation was four Comanche similar to this and a 4.0 automatic long box. They were a tough and worthy truck with a solid following. This was gramps truck. Running boards to keep some of the splash of the body of the vehicle. Probably a good rig to get your chores done.
I wonder if a gen 3 hemi would fit…
My dad had one new, gold with cloth seats and 4 cyl auto 2 wd. Best little truck ever. Over 200,000 and still going strong when my cousin got it and ruined it.
Although Jeep is synonymous with 4wd. It was 1988 that the Archer brothers dominated with a 2wd Comanche 4 cylinder 5 speed truck in the “SCCA Race Truck Challenge”. Great trucks and even better drivers. However if you thing is not the track, but off-road, never underestimate proper tires, suspension, and a locker differential on a 2wd. IMHO most 4 cylinder trucks get laden down too much with all the extra 4wd components.
#10 for an Archer Bros reference, JMB#7! That’s my hometown: Duluth, MN.